City advertises opening for new 'head of innovation and economic growth' position

The City of Palm Coast is seeking an experienced and innovative leader who can think strategically and thrive in a collaborative, problem-solving environment. With direction from the Department Director, this new position leads the City's strategic innovation and economic growth initiates and facilitates investment in our local economy. The Head of Innovation and Economic Growth will be responsible for marketing the City of Palm Coast as a preferred destination for innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth. In addition to leading a variety of special projects aimed at innovation, they will promote the City of Palm Coast through the development and the dissemination of information and communications with civic groups and the community. This position requires exceptional communication skills and strong organizational skills with the ability to carry out a variety of directed tasks. Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Public Administration or related field; three (3) years progressively responsible professional experience in project management; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. Previous experience in economic development is beneficial, but not required. Experience in attracting high-tech businesses and downtown development is especially valued.

The city is hiring for a new economic development chief — the official title is "Head of Innovation and Economic Growth" — and Klufas, speaking toward the end of a city workshop Nov. 28, highlighted the importance of finding the right kind of person.

"These are all things that deal specifically with technology, and I wanted to talk to council and the mayor about the additional position that's not the city manager role — the economic position," Klufas said. "Perhaps we want to gear that towards a chief technology solutions officer or something, where we can specifically try to target someone who'll be able to drive initiative for driving our city into the future."

But he worried that that might prove difficult.

"I really think that we might be struggling here in the future to find that Elon Musk-slash-Warren Buffet in one person," Klufas said. He suggested the council take a more active approach in driving the tech initiatives.

Very few economic development directors, Holland said, "are coming from the mindset of creating a new energy around a community" that could draw in a younger population.

"I think that that's something I feel should be a priority," she said. "I've heard it from every council member when we're looking at job creation."

Holland would prefer to have an economic development director who's looking at innovation, she said.

"I think it's going to be someone very unique and very special that we are able to bring in or attract that has that capability," she said.

The city's current IT staff, Holland noted, maintain the city's current infrastructure; they're not tasked with innovation.

City Manager Jim Landon said the new "head of innovation and economic growth" would need to be tech-savvy.

"And I will tell you, I think it needs to be a young person," he said. "It needs to be someone who is more geared towards where we're headed in the future and not someone that's been doing it for the last 40 years the old fashioned way."